Soul recognition

Afsatou Fall

They were all there looking at me, waiting for my answer. I had thought carefully about my future. I couldn't say that everything would be fine, but I decided to apply what seemed to me to be the best.

●I decided to do a consultation prayer before affirming or accepting anything.

●Of course, my daughter, Mohamed's mother told me.

●We will come back tomorrow then, says his father.

●Of course, replied my father.

The N'Diang family got up and we took them back to the door. Before leaving, Mohamed gave me a warm smile to which I responded.

●You made a wise decision, my mother told me.

●Yes my daughter, I'm sure it was the thing to do, to rely on God, added my father.

Then around eight o'clock, my parents left us alone in the living room.

●You know Afsa, began Oumar. No one puts pressure on you. If you're not ready, you don't have to do it, neither for us nor for the parents. Your decision was mature, and I would support you no matter what you choose.

●Yes, little head, said Ahmed. Anyway, we'll be behind you.

They both kiss me on the forehead before leaving too. I stayed there thinking about the future that was coming to me.

Without waiting a second longer, I called Hawa and explained to her who the guests were, and what they wanted. Her reaction was:

●But nooo! Youyouyou my sister is getting married!

●Don't shout! Who told you I was going to accept?

● Yes dee anyway everything is already written.

●Yes, you're right.

●But it's still unlikely: you've only seen each other once, and haven't even spoken and he's already passing this course. It proves that he is a good man with beautiful values.

●I admit...

●And his family? Is your future mother-in-law nice?

●From what I saw he has two brothers, Drissa and Aziz, both married to what Fatima, their sister, told me.

●Is she nice too? Because it is the sisters-in-law who create problems all the time, to imagine people's lives.

●But no, don't worry, she's super nice and cool. A beautiful person with a very beautiful personality.

●Ah!

●Don't say what you think, Hawa.

●But I didn't say anything!

●I know you too well, I know what you think and your "ah! " says a lot. You know you're like a sister to me, but now you tell yourself that I'm going to replace you with Fatima. What you don't know is that you are and will remain my Hawa, OK?

●I knew that. I wasn't even going to say that...

This one is not even credible. She imagines too many things

●In addition, who can get rid of me? She joked.

●Even if I could, I wouldn't do it for anything in the world. By the way, the guests are coming back tomorrow.

●Well tomorrow, I'm coming as well.

●If you want.

●OK. I imagine you will go to the market to cook them something, so I will meet you there and help you. Then I want to see my future brother-in-law, me!

●You, then.

We talked a little more before hanging up.

I was sitting on beside my bed, I had just finished the consultation prayer and I was waiting for sleep to arrive. After that day, I had trouble falling asleep. I fell tired shortly after midnight, and went to my bed.

I woke up early, before everyone else. I did my morning routine and went downstairs to prepare breakfast.

Everyone went down around eight o'clock, at the same time. They looked at me like an insane, waiting for my answer, which made me laugh.

●Eat first, right?

We ate while talking. They asked me what took me so long yesterday, when I went back to the office, so I had to explain to them the concern we had had.

After talking and eating, we all went to the living room, and I told them of my decision.

●After consultation, I had my answer in a dream, and ... I accept this marriage.

●My daughter is getting married! My mother cried.

●Are you sure, my daughter? My father asks me.

●Yes, dad.

● Okay. They will come this afternoon.

●The Lord knows what is good for us, said my brothers.

●Exactly, my parents replied.

At ten o’clock, my mother and I had just returned from the market. Hawa had joined us and we went to the kitchen to start doing what we like the most: cooking. On the way back, we met Ahmed in front of the door.

●There is no more food at your place, so that you come to get some here? He said to Hawa.

●Don’t worry, I brought back the neighbor’s trash can for you.

He was going to reply when Oumar broke out of nowhere.

●Are you going to stop your childish things, a little? He said.

Hawa lowered her head directly, and Oumar looked at her with a smile. This would have to be explained to me later.

It was now two o’clock when we heard the doorbell. Hawa, this curious, got up first to open. She returned accompanied by the N’Diang family, and we all settled in the living room with them to talk. Sometimes my gaze fell into Mohamed’s, but I looked away quickly.

An hour later, his father spoke.

●Hassan, he said, addressing my father. We came back today so that my son could ask for your daughter’s hand, and that she could be part of our family.

●Even if I agree, the last word is up to her.

He turned to me:

●Do you accept, my daughter?

●Yes, dad.

●Well, so be it, concludes my father.

All the women in the house started jumping: Kadidja: Mohamed’s mother, Fatima, Hawa and my mother. They calmed down after ten minutes.

●So, when will it be? Kadidja asked.

●If you don’t mind, says Mohamed. In a month, that would be good.

●No, that’s fine with me, I say. And also, if it could be a discreet wedding, with only family and close friends...

●That’s fine with me, replied Mohamed.

●Well, we have work! Said our mothers.

The evening ended and everyone went home. What a day!

In a month my life would change: I would only be Fall but also N’diang I would leave my parents, have my own home, and above all new responsibilities.